Stolen museum exhibit found torched

A MUSEUM owner has told of his devastation after a stolen exhibit was torched.

Thieves broke into Frank Wood’s Walton Hall Farm Museum in Stanford-le-Hope on Monday September 14 and stole a number of irreplaceable exhibits worth around £2,000.

Among the stolen items was a 1960s Raleigh Wisp moped.

Police found it burnt out in Thames View Field, Chadwell St Mary, on Sunday night.

Mr Wood, who has had trouble sleeping since the break-in, said: “Its so sad, the moped is really rare and it was in such a lovely condition, it had hardly any scratches on it – and then I get a call from the police on Sunday night saying its been found burnt out on a field.

He added: “The bike was donated by a family in Thurrock so I’ll have to break the news to them too, they’ll be really upset.”

The police say a youth was seen riding the moped a few hours before it was found burnt out, and they believe the other stolen exhibits, which include old fashioned bikes and wheelchairs, may still be in the area.

Investigating officer, Pc Paul Glensman, has blasted those responsible for torching the moped.

He said: “A youth was seen riding the bike a while before it was found, so we believe that the other items may be still in the local area and will direct our inquiries as such.

“ I am disgusted that this item was stolen and blatantly set on fire, when it is such a rare piece.

“If anyone knows who is responsible, or has seen other people with the other invalid carriages, we urge them to contact us so we can return them to their owner.”

Anyone with any information about this incident is urged to call PC Glensman at Tilbury Police Station on 0300 333 4444.

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